London pubs see 54% revenue drop during Tube strikes.
Feed Me: London Edition.
Good afternoon, everyone. I just finished a fabulous lunch with Panayiota Soutis at Oslo Court. I ran into a friend I met in Syros in 2021. Small town.
This is my first attempt at a London-focused version of Feed Me. The UK is Feed Me’s second largest audience (after the US) and I’ve learned so much from my London-based readers — both in the comment section and in-person — over the last few years. Thank you to the brilliant and curious Montague Ashley-Craig, who contributed to today’s letter.
Last night, my friend Louis Cheslaw and I hosted an impromptu happy hour at The Standard for readers and writers (and musicians and designers). I went home happy and half-drunk after getting dinner with new friends at Dim Sum Duck.
Today’s letter includes: London’s hottest bar added martini holders to the bathrooms, London pubs saw a dip in business during the Tube strikes this week, and a tuba ban at a popular countryside wedding venue.
Have a piece of news you’d like to see covered in Feed Me? Reply to this email or text the anonymous Feed Me Tip Line: (646) 494-3916
Earlier this week I asked my readers for London recs. Here’s what they shared:
“Highly recommend to you and FM readers who are walking around London in the coming weeks listening to the audiobook for London Falling, which is read by the author, Patrick Radden Keefe. Among many other things, it will make you question your pronunciation of Abramovich.” - Dan
“A tini at The Dover or Simpson’s on the Strand.” - Olivia
“Or a power breakfast at Simpson’s on the Strand. Took a morning meal there a few weeks back and highly recommend.” - Page
“Go to Ozone for breakfast/brunch - one of the few places in London that gets it right IMO (London wants to be a brunch city but it just isn’t). For pastries go to Jolene or Pomme or Eric’s. For dinner, The River Café and make sure to strike up a convo with Ruthie (she’s always there).” - Eva
“I know Jolene was mentioned as the London bakery for hot cross buns, but would actually suggest getting to the Islington brand of Popham’s - their ‘specials’ at the weekend are incredible.” - Jordan
“I will always say Liberty just because of how gorgeous the store is on its own. Obviously everything they sell is fantastic as well.” - Joanna
“If you get a craving for fantastic fish and chips in an incredible room with lovely and correct service pop in to J. Sheeky. You won’t be disappointed.” - Cindy
“Portrait Gallery, Serpentine, Chelsea Physic Garden, Kew Gardens, Tate. So much good shopping : Choosing Keeping is a must, one of the great stationary/pen stores of the world, anything with a royal warrant is fun and historical, having a walk down Savile Row if you’re nearby, Benjamin Pollocks toy shop, Columbia road for small shops followed by lunch at Marksman, EB Meyerowitz for glasses/sunnies, Berry Bros and Rudd for booze, Chiltern shopping is always fun though it’s turned over to more major retailers so less interesting (pop up to Bella Freud).” - Brooks
“‘National Portrait Gallery for Lucian Freud and V&A for Schiaparelli. Best department stores are Harvey Nichols and Liberty. Chiltern Street in Marylebone is great for independent stores (and the best pharmacy in the world, John Bell, is not far).” - Fedora
“Museum-wise, definitely check out the National Portrait Gallery and British Museum. The Churchill War Rooms are also worthwhile. If you’re looking to shop for tea, Beijing Tong Ren Tang in Chinatown is excellent.” - Eli
“The flower gardens in Regent’s Park are spectacular for a stroll at the moment!” - M
“Go see Jean-Honoré Fragonard at the Wallace Collection and take a picture of the swing for me.” - Brendon
“Vintage shopping around Notting Hill. I like Retro Woman and have got loads of my best dresses from there, Lovers Lane more expensive but has amazing things, feel like a magpie in the Hirst Collection which is an insane collection of costume jewelry.” - Helena
“Wallace collection is underrated and their restaurant space is BEAUTIFUL.” - Julia
UK Support Specialist at Substack. 80% of your time will be resolving questions, bugs, feedback, and general inquiries, averaging at least 200-300 tickets per week. (£57,000-£70,000)
Senior Art Director at Financial Times. This person will maintain and evolve the FT’s premium brand standards across all creative touchpoints, safeguarding visual integrity and consistency.
Senior Manager of Social Media at British Vogue. This is a hybrid role that combines strategic oversight with hands-on execution. You will shape how British Vogue shows up on social, while also managing daily posting, scheduling, and optimisation across platforms. Dog-friendly office, wow.
Director of Video at T Brand Studio International. This role will scale T’s video creative capabilities, pitch new video creative programs, turn branded podcasts into video shows, and execute both short-form and long-form video projects.
Senior Business News Editor at Semafor. Semafor is looking for a tireless and talented senior editor to work alongside their marquee reporters as they break big stories on the bleeding edge of Wall Street — private investing, hedge funds, deals, activism, banking, prediction markets, and private equity. ($110,000 - $140,000)
Senior video producer, Guardian Studios. The paper’s new creative hub for personality-led video is looking for someone to develop, pilot, and produce new shows.
Odd Lots is making its London debut with a live show on May 7th. I have FOMO. Tracy Alloway and Joe Weisenthal’s guests range from Ashley Palmer-Watts (founder of The Devonshire) to Fahmi Quadir (Founder and CIO Safkhet Capital).
Tuba ban! Countryside wedding venue Euridge Manor (where Jack Whitehall recently got married) will no longer be allowed to play brass instruments during events. Saxophones will be permitted, but only in the rose garden. Per BBC, part of the new rule is that “guests are not allowed to climb the Tump, a hillock from which noise has previously carried into the nearby village.”
I met London Centric’s Jim Waterson last year when I was in town with Substack’s team. The publication reports on London, and I’m constantly surprised by the seemingly small stories that instantly connect the readers in the comment section. This week, they reported on pastry thieves and drug dealers at Greggs.